At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead corporate communications strategy and develop engaging content for diverse audiences.
- Company: NCC collaborates with industry, government, and academia to drive innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, generous pension contribution, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace encouraging applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Shape impactful narratives and strengthen our profile in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic communications and ability to engage senior stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
At NCC, we work with industry, government and academia to turn innovation into real-world impact. As part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and the University of Bristol, we help organisations solve complex challenges to create a sustainable, productive and resilient future.
The role involves leading how NCC communicates its mission, priorities and impact. This is a key leadership role, responsible for shaping our corporate narrative and strengthening our profile with industry, government, funders and strategic partners. You’ll work closely with senior leaders across the organisation to ensure our communications are clear, consistent and aligned to our strategy.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead corporate communications strategy — plan and deliver activity that supports NCC’s priorities and strengthens our profile, reputation and influence.
- Own our narrative and messaging — develop and maintain a clear corporate narrative, messaging framework and tone of voice across NCC and key partners, including the University of Bristol and HVM Catapult.
- Act as a trusted advisor — provide strategic communications guidance to senior leaders on positioning, messaging and external engagement.
- Develop high-quality communications assets — including messaging frameworks, presentations and corporate materials that enable colleagues to communicate consistently.
- Drive thought leadership and impact communications — translate NCC’s strategy into compelling content for industry, government and funding audiences.
- Measure and improve performance — track and report on communications activity, using insight to refine approach and maximise impact.
- Build strong relationships — work closely with internal teams and external stakeholders to deliver coordinated, effective communications.
What we’re looking for:
- Proven experience developing and delivering strategic communications in a complex organisation.
- Strong ability to translate complex technical or strategic information into clear, engaging content.
- Experience working with and influencing senior stakeholders.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- A collaborative leadership style, with a focus on quality and continuous improvement.
- Understanding of the UK innovation, R&D or public funding landscape (desirable).
What we offer in return:
- 12.5% employer pension contribution.
- Hybrid and flexible working as standard.
- Support to keep learning and progressing.
- University of Bristol honorary staff status.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply. We ensure that all hiring decisions are made without regard to age, race, national origin, sex, disability, gender, gender identity, religion, or any other protected characteristics, and will treat all applications with the strictest confidence. We’re always open to hearing how we can support flexible working in different ways, including part-time work. Please don’t be afraid to ask about what we can do to support your needs including alternative ways to apply.
Head of Corporate Communications employer: NCC – Innovating for Industry
At NCC, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where innovation meets real-world impact. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our support for continuous learning and the unique opportunity to hold honorary staff status at the University of Bristol, enhancing your professional profile. With a strong focus on flexible working arrangements and a generous pension contribution, we ensure that our team members thrive both personally and professionally in a dynamic environment dedicated to shaping a sustainable future.
Contact Details:
NCC – Innovating for Industry Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Corporate Communications
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Corporate Communications
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
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Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of NCC – Innovating for Industry. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at NCC – Innovating for Industry.
How to prepare for a job interview at NCC – Innovating for Industry
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
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Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
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As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
